Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Double and Triple Burden of Malnutrition in Mother-Child Pairs in Guinea

Abstract

The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) and triple burden of malnutrition (TBM) remain a public health challenge in developing countries. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with DBM and TBM in mother-child pairs in Guinea. A sample of 2605 mother-child pairs drawn from the fifth Guinea Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2018 was selected for this study. Anthropometric measurements of children and their mothers and children's hemoglobin levels were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with DBM and TBM. The prevalence of DBM and TBM in mother-child pairs in households in Guinea were 9.6% (95% CI: 8.3-11.2) and 7.3% (95% CI: 6.1-8.6) respectively. Mothers who delivered by caesarean section (AOR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.06-6.58), wealthy households (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.15-4.09) and mothers with 4 or more children (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.08-4.38) were factors significantly associated with the double burden of malnutrition. Wealthy households (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.04-4.29) and Caesarean delivery (AOR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.06-5.42) were factors significantly associated with the triple burden of malnutrition. Multiparity was associated with DBM and wealthier households and caesarean section were positively associated with DBM and TBM. Public health actions focused on women of childbearing age should be undertaken to curb the development of this scourge.